Camera device for refrigerator and refrigerator comprising same

ABSTRACT

A camera device for use in a storage unit includes a case configured to be detachably installable inside the storage unit to a holder unit configured to hold the case inside the storage unit, an image capturing element provided inside the case and configured to capture an image inside the storage unit where the case is installed, an image capture window provided on a first surface portion of the case and configured for capturing the image inside the storage unit by the image capturing element, and a preventing element configured to prevent the case from being attached to the holder unit in an orientation other than a predetermined orientation. The image capture window is configured for capturing image inside the storage unit by the image capturing element. The holder unit holds the case inside the storage unit. The image capturing element captures the image inside the storage unit with the case being installed in the predetermined orientation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation to an International Application No.PCT/JP2014/71563, filed on Aug. 18, 2014 which is based upon and claimsthe benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No.2013-176757, filed on, Aug. 28, 2013; Japanese Patent Application No.2013-176758, filed on, Aug. 28, 2013; Japanese Patent Application No.2013-176759, filed on, Aug. 28, 2013; and Japanese Patent ApplicationNo. 2013-176760, filed on, Aug. 28, 2013 the entire contents of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a camera device for use in astorage and a storage provided with the camera device.

BACKGROUND

A storage such as a refrigerator provided with a camera device, etc. isknown which allows information of food, etc. stored therein to beacquired from remote locations.

However, a storage such as a refrigerator described above does notnecessarily provide good environment for capturing images and thus,there are problems specific to camera devices used in such environmentthat need to be overcome.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 pertains to a first embodiment and is a schematic viewillustrating an in-room image capturing system using a camera device.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the external look of thecamera device.

FIG. 3 is a broken perspective view of the camera device.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional side view of the camera device.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the camera device.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the camera device.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the front surface portion of a bodycase.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a slid switch.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an auxiliary substrate.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram indicating an electrical configuration of arefrigerator and a camera device.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view with some of the doors of the refrigeratoropened.

FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a right-side door and aholder case.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a part of the right-side door.

FIG. 14 is a broken side view of a vegetable chamber.

FIG. 15 is a front view of the refrigerator.

FIG. 16 illustrates one example of a captured image.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a camera device installed in the holder case.

FIG. 18 is a front view of the camera device installed in the holdercase.

FIG. 19 is a chart indicating the light emitting properties of anin-room lighting and the light receiving properties of an illuminancesensor.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart indicating the control flow of the refrigerator.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart indicating the control flow of the camera device.

FIG. 22 pertains to a second embodiment and corresponds to FIG. 11.

FIG. 23 pertains to a third embodiment and illustrates a verticalcross-sectional view of a first surface of a case.

FIG. 24 illustrates one example of a water proof element and correspondsto FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 illustrates a slide switch of a fourth embodiment andcorresponds to FIG. 17.

FIG. 26 illustrates another embodiment of a slide switch and correspondsto FIG. 17.

FIG. 27 pertains to another embodiment of a slide switch and correspondsto FIG. 12.

FIG. 28 pertains to a fifth embodiment and corresponds to FIG. 18.

FIG. 29 pertains to sixth embodiment and corresponds to FIG. 11,

FIG. 30 is a cross sectional side view of a refrigeration chamber of therefrigerator.

FIG. 31 is a vertical cross-sectional front view of the installed cameradevice.

FIG. 32 is a broken vertical cross-sectional front view of the installedcamera device.

FIG. 33 is a front view of a vegetable container.

FIG. 34 pertains to an eight embodiment and is a vertical crosssectional front view of the installed camera device.

FIG. 35 pertains to a ninth embodiment and corresponds to FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, a camera device for use in a storage unit is providedwith a case configured to be installable inside a storage unit; an imagecapturing element provided inside the case; and an image capture windowprovided on a first surface portion of the case and configured forcapturing image inside the storage unit by the image capturing element.The image capturing element is configured to capture image inside thestorage unit where the case is installed.

In one embodiment, a refrigerator is provided with the camera device foruse in a storage unit.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide a camera device suitable forpractical use in capturing images of the interior of the storage unitand providing a storage unit provided with the same.

First Embodiment

A description will be given on a first embodiment with reference toFIGS. 1 to 21.

In the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the camera device 2serves as a camera device for use in a storage. The camera device 2 isdisposed in a refrigerator (storage) 1 which is one example of a homeappliance being a component of an in-room image capturing system 100.

First, a description will be given on the in-room image capturing system100. The in-room image capturing system 100 is configured by the cameradevice 2 configured to capture images inside the refrigerator 1, anaccess point 3 for communicating with the refrigerator 1 side, and anoperation terminal 4, etc. The access point 3 is connected to anexternal network (wide area communication network and a mobile phonenetwork) 5 and is configured to communicably interconnect acommunication terminal 4 and a server 6, etc. located in remotelocations with the refrigerator 1 side byway of the external network 5.In the present embodiment, close range wireless communication such as aBluetooth (registered trademark) wireless communication is exchangedbetween the refrigerator 1 and the access point 3; between the accesspoint 3 and the operation terminal 4; and between the camera device 2and the access point 3.

The operation terminal 4 is used to input image capturing instructionsfor making the camera device 2 capture in-room images. Examples ofoperation terminal 4 envisaged in the present embodiment include atablet PC and a so-called smart phone (highly functional mobile phone).When located inside a residence 7, the operation terminal 4 is connectedcommunicably with the access point 3 through close range wirelesscommunication. When located outside the residence 7, the operationterminal 4 is connected communicably with the access point 3 throughwide-range communication by way of the external network 5. The operationterminal 4 is further capable of connecting to the access point by wayof the external network 5 through wide-range communication even whenlocated inside of the residence 7. The operation terminal 4 locatedinside the residence 7 is further capable of communicating directly withthe refrigerator 1 side without the intervention of the access point 3

The server 6 is configured by a computer system known in the art. Theserver 6 stores information (such as an IP address) for accessing therefrigerator 1 side and, in the present embodiment, image data capturedby the camera device 2. Though only the refrigerator 1 is illustrated inFIG. 1, other home appliances such as an air conditioner not illustratedare connected to the network.

By interconnecting the home appliances over a network, it is possibleto: visualize the electric power consumption of each home appliance forthe user's reference; shift the peak of electric power consumptionduring the day time in summer for example when there is a large demandfor electric power; perform control of electric power such as peakcutting in which a momentary use of electric power exceeding the ratedlevel in a general household is inhibited; perform failure diagnosis ofhome appliances, etc. The network of home appliances provides a userfriendly, convenient, and an easy to use system by offeringfunctionalities such as those exemplified above. It is possible to checkthe status inside the refrigerator 1 (the status of stored items, etc.)by installing the camera device 2 inside the refrigeration chamber forexample. By storing the acquired information and captured image data,etc. to the server 6, such information and data, etc. may be viewed evenfrom remote locations by the operation terminal 4 or the like throughexternal network 5, etc.

Next, a description is given on the camera device 2.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 6, the camera device 2 is provided with acase 200 serving as an outer housing. The case 200 is provided with arectangular body case (first case) 201 and a rectangular lid case(second case) 202. One of the surfaces of the body case 201 is opened.The lid case 202 is relatively shallower than the body case 201 and oneof the surfaces of the lid case 202 is similarly opened. Both the bodycase 201 and the lid case 202 are made of synthetic resin (nonmetalmaterial). The case 200 is formed by joining the opened side of the bodycase 201 and the opened side of the lid case 202 by screws 200 a and isgenerally shaped like a cuboid. A packing groove 201 a is formed on theedge surface of the opening formed on the body case 201. A packing 203shaped like a frame and serving as a water proof member is fitted intothe packing groove 201 a. The body case 201 and the lid case 202 arewater-tightly joined by the packing 203. The packing 203 comprises asilicone rubber.

The surface (the front surface of the camera device 2 being illustratedas the left side surface in FIGS. 3 and 4) located on one side of thebody case 201 located in the opposite side of the opening serves as afirst surface portion (surface located in the direction of imagecapturing) 201I. The first surface portion 201I is a flat surface and isprovided with a circular image capture window 201 b at its center. Upperlighting window 201 c and lower lighting window 201 c are provided onthe upper side and the lower side of the image capture window 201 b,respectively so as to be equally spaced from the image capture window201 b. An illuminance sensor window 201 d is further formed on the firstsurface portion 201I.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the peripheral edge of the first surfaceportion 201I and the peripheral edge of the image capture window 201 bare slightly projected by the same height.

A sheet of cover member 204 is attached to the first surface portion201I for covering the same by a double-stick tape not illustrated. Ahole 204 a is formed through the cover member 204 to prevent the imagecapture window 201 b from being covered. There are no other holes formedon the cover member 204 besides the hole 204 a opposing the imagecapture window 201 b. The image capture window 201 b faces the outsideof the cover member 204 through the hole 204 a, meaning that the imagecapture window 201 b is not covered. The cover member 204 is made of atransparent material. A design (not illustrated) is printed on one sideof the cover member 204 being bonded on the underlying surface. Thedesign is not printed on the portions corresponding to the lightingwindows 201 c and the illuminance sensor window 201 d. Instead,transparent portions 204 b and 204 c are formed on these portions.

Switch through holes 201 e are formed on an upper surface portion 201Jof the body case 201. A sheet of switch cover 205 is bonded to the uppersurface portion 201J by a double-stick tape not illustrated. The switchthrough holes 201 e are covered by the switch cover 205. Designs 205 aand 205 b are printed on one side of the switch cover 205 being bondedon the underlying surface. The designs 205 a and 205 b are located withthe switch through holes 201 e and thus, the double-stick tape is notapplied to these portions. The switch cover 205 is configured to beflexible at portions where the designs 205 a and 205 b are printed toprovide a feel of operating the switches.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, a shallow elongate recess 201 f is formed onthe right-side wall 201M of the body case 201. The recess 201 f is usedto store an operator for a reed switch 206 c located near the innersurface of the right-side wall 201M as later described. A slide cover201 g is engaged to the recess 201 f to create a space for providing theoperator of the reed switch 206 c. A long hole 201 h is formed on theslide cover 201 g. An operator 206 a is disposed movably in the up anddown direction for example in the space between the recess 201 f and theslide cover 201 g. The operator 206 b is provided with a magnet 206 b.The operator 206 a is further provided with a protruding knob 206 dbeing located within the long hole 201 h. The slide switch 206 isconfigured by the operator 206 a, the magnet 206 d, and the reed switch206 c later described. The slide switch 206 corresponds to a powerswitch for turning the power on and off. The reed switch 206 c is turnedon when the operator 26 a is operated in the downward direction. As aresult, the slide switch 206 is turned on to turn on the power. A labelreading “ON” is provided on the lower portion of the slide cover 201 gand a label reading “OFF” is provided on the upper portion of the slidecover 201 g.

The lid case 202, on the other hand, is provided with a battery storage207 projecting toward the body case 201. On one end (the rear end) ofthe battery storage 207, an opening 207 a is provided for taking thebattery in and out. Battery 208 is inserted in place through the opening207 a. The battery 208 a is a lithium battery and is a primary battery.The opening 207 a of the battery storage 207 is opened and closed by abattery lid (lid) 209. The lower edge of the battery lid 209 is engagedwith the lower portion of an outer opening, whereas the upper portion ofthe battery lid 209 is screw fastened above the edge of the opening 207a.

The battery 208 provides power to the camera device 2. The camera device2, being free of power plug cable, etc., may be installed in anylocation inside the refrigerator 1. A water proof element comprising asilicone rubber and serving as a waterproof element is provided betweenthe opening 207 a of the battery storage 207 and the battery lid 209. Animage capturing portion 211, a substrate 121, and a communication module213 are provided inside the case 200 so as to be located above thebattery 208. The image capturing portion 211 corresponds to an imagecapturing element and the communication module 213 corresponds to acommunication element.

The image capturing portion 211 is provided with a lens holder 211 aserving as an exterior housing, an outer lens 211 b corresponding to alens, a lens assembly 211 c, an image sensing device 211 d, and asubstrate 211 e. The outer lens 211 b and the lens assembly 211 ccontain a wide-angle lens. The wide-angle lens provides a view angle ofapproximately 120 degrees. For comparison, a generally available webcamera provides a view angle of approximately 55 degrees.

The shape of the lens holder 211 a is generally circular. The outer lens211 b and the lens assembly 211 c are held by the lens holder 211 a. Theimage sensing device 211 d such as a CCD and CMOS is implemented on thesubstrate 211 e. The substrate 211 e is mounted on the rear end portion(the right end portion as viewed in FIG. 4) of the lens holder 211 a.

The lens holder 211 a is fitted to the image capture window 201 b. An Oring 211 f is provided at the fitting portion. The 0 ring 211 fcorresponds to a water proof element. As illustrated in FIG. 4, theoutermost surface of the image capturing portion 211 (the outermostsurface of the outer lens 211 b) is located in a position retracted fromthe outer surface of (the outer surface of the peripheral edge of theimage capture window 201 b) of the first surface portion 201I of thecase 200. A connecting terminal 211 h configured to establish connectionwith one end of a flexible cable 211 g is implemented on the substrate211 e. The flexible cable 211 g connects the substrate 211 e and a mainsubstrate 212A later described.

A substrate 212 is configured by a main substrate 212A and an auxiliarysubstrate 212B. The auxiliary substrate 212B is provided with a hole212Ba for avoiding the image capturing portion 211. The auxiliarysubstrate 212B is attached to the rear side of the first surface portion201I of the case 200 by way of a rib so as to be distanced from theinner surface of the first surface portion 201I. The substrate 211 e andthe flexible cable 211 g are located behind the auxiliary substrate212B.

Battery connection terminals 212Bb are provided on the lower rearsurface of the auxiliary substrate 212B. The plus terminal and the minusterminal of the battery 208 are connected to battery connectionterminals 212Bb. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 9, image capturinglightings 214 corresponding to an image capture lighting element andilluminance sensor 215 are implemented on the front surface portion ofthe auxiliary substrate 212B. The image capturing lightings 214 beingimplemented on the auxiliary substrate 212B face or fit into thelighting windows 201 c. The illuminance sensor 215 faces the illuminancesensor window 201 d.

The reed switch 206 c is implemented on the edge of the rear surface ofthe auxiliary substrate 212B. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the reed switch206 c is located near the inner surface of the right-side wall 201Mcorresponding to the first wall. Reed switch 206 c and the operator 206a are isolated by the wall of the recess 201 f provided on theright-side wall 201M. This structure serves as a water proof element.

Metal circuit pattern (not illustrated) for establishing connection withmultiple electronic components are formed on the main substrate 212FAand the auxiliary substrate 212B. As illustrated in FIG. 9, a groundpattern 212Bc, being a metal pattern, is formed substantially throughoutthe front surface of the auxiliary substrate 212B. The ground pattern212Bc functions as an electric shield for blocking noise originatingfrom elements outside the case 200.

A connection terminal 212Be for connecting the flexible cable 212Bd isfurther implemented on the auxiliary substrate 212B. The flexible cable212Bd is connected to the auxiliary substrate 212B and the mainsubstrate 212A.

The main substrate 212A is located behind the auxiliary substrate 212Band screw fastened to the body case 201. A camera side controller 220(later described) comprising a microcomputer, etc. is implemented on themain substrate 212A. The camera side controller 20 is responsible forperforming the overall control of the camera device 2. Switchescomprising setting switch 216 and mode switch 217 are implemented on theupper portion of the main substrate 212A. The setting switch 216 isconfigured to start the setting, validate the setting, and end thesetting. The mode switch 217 is configured to specify or select variousmodes. The setting switch 216 and the mode switch 217 comprise a tactileswitch (push switch) and are provided with an operator 216 a and anoperator 217 a respectively. Switches 216 and 217 effect a switchingoperation when the operators 216 a and 217 a are depressed downward andreturn to their original positions after operation. As illustrated inFIG. 4, the operators 216 a and 217 a are disposed within the switchholes 201 e. The printed designs 205 a and 205 b of the switch cover205, when depressed, deform flexibly to depress the operators 216 a and217 a. The printed designs 205 a and 205 b serve as operating portions216 b and 217 b of the setting switch 216 and the mode switch 217(constitute a part of the setting switch 216 and the mode switch 217).

An acceleration sensor 218 and a temperature sensor 219 (see FIG. 10)are further implemented on the main substrate 212A. The accelerationsensor 218 is configured to detect the positioning of the camera device2 being installed (vertical orientation, lateral orientation, the firstsurface portion 201I facing downward and the first surface portion 201Ifacing upward).

The temperature sensor 219 is configured to detect the temperature ofthe location where the camera device 2 is installed. A judgement is madethat the camera device 2 is installed in the refrigeration chamber whenthe temperature detected by the temperature sensor 219 belongs to thetemperature zone of the refrigeration chamber. A judgement is made thatthe camera device 2 is installed in the freezer chamber when thetemperature detected by the temperature sensor 219 belongs to thetemperature zone of the freezer chamber. When the camera device 2 hasbeen judged to be installed to the freezer chamber, such judgement istransmitted to the refrigerator 1 side and informed to the user throughthe control panel 22, etc. of the refrigerator 1 since there is a riskof failures, etc.

A connection terminal 212Ab for connecting the flexible cable 212Aa isfurther implemented on the main substrate 212A. The flexible cable 212Aaconnects the main substrate 212A with the communication module 213. Thecommunication module 213 provided inside the case 200 is screw fastenedto the body case 201 in a position further rearward relative to thesubstrate 212. A module substrate 213 b, etc. having circuitry forcommunication control is provided inside the module case 213 a of thecommunication module 213. Antenna 213 c is patterned onto the modulesubstrate 213 b. The antenna 213 c is provided on a surface 202T locatedon the opposite side of the first surface portion 201I.

The communication module 213 is configured to transmit the image data ofthe interior of the storage captured by the image capturing portion 211to the operation terminal 4, the server 6, or the like through theaccess point 3. The captured image data is transmitted to the server 6for storing it in the server 6. Examples of image information includedata (still image, moving image) of known formats such as a bit mapformat and JPEG/MPEG format and compressed/encrypted forms of such dataas well as converted forms of such data converted by image processing.The image data may come in any format as long as such data can betransmitted to the server 6 and can be viewed through the operationterminal

The image capturing portion 211, the substrate 212, the communicationmodule 213, and the battery 208 of the camera device 2 are configured asa unit (an integrated structure) 2A. The battery 208 is provided in alocation which does not cover the communication module 213. In otherwords, the battery 208 is provided in a location which does not blockthe route for the antenna 213 c to transmit and receive information (thedirection indicated by arrow A) in good condition.

Distance H1 (see FIG. 4) between the antenna 213 c of the communicationmodule 213 and the substrate 212 is configured to be equal to or lessthan ½ of the wavelength λ of wireless radio waves such as 10 mm. Forexample, when the frequency of the wireless radio wave is 2.5 GHz, thewave length λ is approximately 120 mm and thus, the distance H1 isspecified to ½ (60 mm) of the wave length λ.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, battery 208 having a large mass is disposed inthe lower portion of the case 200 of the camera device 2. Thus, thecenter of gravity G of the camera device 2 is arranged to be located ina position different from the center (volume center) C of the case 200,which, in this case, is below the volume center C.

Operating portions 216 b and 217 b (preventing element) constitutingapart of the setting switch 216 and the mode switch 217 are provided onthe outer surface of upper wall 201J of the case 200 located in theopposite side of the battery 208.

An electric configuration of the camera device 2 will be describedherein with reference to FIG. 10. The camera side controller 220 isconfigured by a microcomputer provided to the main substrate 212A. Thecamera side controller 220 executes the overall control of the cameradevice 2 and is provided with components such as a CPU 220 a, a ROM 220b, a RAM 220 c, a time keeper 220 d, and a nonvolatile memory 220 eserving as an information storing element. More specifically, examplesof the controls executed by the camera side controller 220 include acontrol of the timing of image capturing by the image capturing portion211; a control for preparing the image capturing environment forcapturing images (controlling illumination of image capturing lighting214); transmitting captured image data by the communication module 213;and a control for receiving (accepting) image capturing instructionslater described from the illuminance sensor 215. In the presentembodiment, the camera side controller 220 also executes imageprocessing such as modifying the captured image.

The time keeper 220 d is configured by a real time clock module having atime keeping and calendar function capable of keeping track of real time(time, day and month, and day of the week).

The illuminance sensor 215 connected to the camera side controller 220comprises an illuminance sensor and is configured to detect theilluminance around the camera device 2. More specifically, theilluminance sensor 215 is configured to detect an optical energy of aprescribed wave length band (In the present embodiment, optical energyemitted from later described in-room lighting 130 and 132). The opticalenergy detected by the illuminance sensor 215 is converted into anelectric signal and displayed to the camera side controller 220.

In the present embodiment, the final form of signal of image capturinginstructions given by the user is optical energy emitted according to aprescribed pattern (flickering of the later described in-room lightings130 and 132 according to a prescribed pattern). The camera sidecontroller 220 judges an issuance of image capturing instructions whenflickering of the prescribed pattern is detected by the illuminancesensor 215.

The camera device 2 is used with the slide switch 206 turned ON (powerturned ON) and normally stands by in a low power mode (sleep controlmode) consuming relative less electric power compared to the normaloperation mode. When receiving image capturing instructions, the cameradevice 2 returns to the normal operation mode and captures image of theinterior of the storage.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the refrigerator 1 to which the camera device2 is provided, in the listed sequence from the upper side of the body102, with a refrigeration chamber 103 serving as storage chamberconfigured to store food, a vegetable chamber 104, an ice maker 105, anupper freezer 106, and a lower freezer 107. The compartment of therefrigeration chamber 103 and the vegetable chamber 104 and thecompartment of the ice maker 105 and the upper freezer 106 are dividedby a thermally insulative partition not illustrated. The refrigerationchamber 103 is opened and closed by a left-side door 103 a and aright-side door 103 b configured as a double door (revolving door)rotatably supported by hinges 102 a and 102 b.

The vegetable chamber 104, the ice maker 105, and the upper and lowerfreezers 106 and 107 are opened and closed by drawer type doors 104 a,105 a, 106 a, and 107 a, respectively. The length of the right-side door103 b (the length from the rotational center to the opening end) isconfigured to be greater than the length of the left-side door 103 a.

A door sensor 124 (see FIG. 10) is provided on each of the doors fordetecting their opened or closed status. The configuration of therefrigerator 1 illustrated in FIG. 11 is merely an example. Thus, thelayout of the storage chambers is variable. For example, the upperfreezer 106 may be a switchover chamber in which refrigeration andfreezing functions may be switched.

The left-side door 103 a of the refrigeration chamber 103 is providedwith a door pocket 108 a, a door pocket 109 a, and a door pocket 110 ain the listed sequence from the upper side. The right-side door 103 b ofthe refrigeration chamber 103 is provided with a door pocket 108 b, adoor pocket 109 b, and a door pocket 110 b in the listed sequence fromthe upper side. Multiple shelves 111, made of transparent material suchas glass, are provided inside the refrigeration chamber 103. A specialpurpose chamber 112 such as an egg storing chamber and a chiller chamberis provided in the lower most level. In-room lightings 130 and 132 (SeeFIG. 10) serving as a lighting element are provided inside therefrigeration chamber 103. The in-room lighting 130 is provided on theceiling and the in-room lighting 132, though not illustrated, isprovided on the side surface though not illustrated in FIG. 11. Thein-room lighting 130 and the in-room lighting 132 are provided toilluminate specific portions of the fridge interior. For example, thein-room lighting 130 illuminates the upper portion of the fridgeinterior, whereas the in-room lighting 132 illuminates the centralportion and the lower portion, etc. of the fridge interior.

The left-side door 103 a and the right-side door 103 b of therefrigeration chamber 103 are sized differently but are made of the samematerial. A description is given hereinafter based on the right-sidedoor 103 b. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the front surface of theright-side door 103 b is formed by a glass plate 103 b 1 is configuredby an insulative glass material and the rear surface (inner surface) isconfigured by an inner plate 114 made nonmetal resin and a verticalplate 115 (see FIG. 11). The interior of the right-side door is packedwith a fill material such as urethane 103 b 2 serving as a thermalinsulation material. That is, the front surface side of the left-sidedoor 103 a and the right-side door 103 b are configured by the glassplate 103 b 1 being a nonmetallic material allowing permeation ofelectric waves. The door pockets 108 a to 110 a and 108 b to 110 b areprovided on the inner plate 114. Further, the left-side door 103 a isprovided with a revolving vertical partition 117 made of nonmetalmaterial such as synthetic resin provided so as to fill clearance S fromthe right-side door 103 b as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 13. Door 104 a,etc. of the vegetable chamber 104 has its front surface covered by glassplate and its interior packed with urethane serving as a thermalinsulation material as was the case for the right-side door 103 b.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, the upper vegetable container 104 b and thelower vegetable container 104 c are provided inside the vegetablechamber 104. The upper vegetable container 104 b is configured by atransparent material (synthetic resin). The lower vegetable container104 c may also be configured by a transparent material.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the camera device 2 stored in a holder case150 is mounted (disposed) on a mid-level door pocket 109 b located atthe vertical middle of the right-side door 103 b. The camera device 2 isprovided on the opening end side of the right-side door 103 b asillustrated in FIGS. 11 and 13. The camera device 2 is disposed so thatthe image capturing portion 211 is oriented toward the interior of thestorage (the first surface portion 201I faces the interior of thestorage). When the camera device 2 is disposed on the right side door103 b, the slide switch 206 is turned ON meaning that the power isturned on (in an operative state).

The length of the right-side door 103 b is formed to be greater thanlength of the left-side door 103 a. Thus, the camera device 2 is locatedsubstantially at the longitudinal and lateral center of the refrigerator103 as illustrated in FIG. 15. Notably, the camera device 2 is locatedin the opening end side of the right-side door 103 a. The distance fromthe hinge 102 b side end of the right-side door 103 a to the cameradevice 2 is greater than the length of the left-side door 103 a. Whenthe right-side door 103 b is closed and the image capturing portion 211is located at the center of the door comprising doors 103 a and 103 b,the image capturing range of the image capturing portion 211 of thecamera device 2 includes the left and right edges in the far side of thestorage (points P1 and P2 in FIG. 11) or the upper and lower edges inthe far side of the storage (points P3 and P4 in FIG. 11). FIG. 16illustrates one example of an image captured by the camera device 2. Theimage capturing range may be arranged to include points P11 to P18indicated in FIG. 11.

The holder case 150 is disposed at the right-side door 103 b and isshaped like an open top box as illustrated in FIGS. 12, 17, and 18.Height Hh of the wall 150 a of the holder case 150, located proximal tothe inner side of the storage, is configured to be greater than half theheight of the case 200 of the camera device 2.

The image capturing portion 211 is oriented toward the interior of therefrigeration chamber 103 located inside the storage when the cameraunit 2 (unit 2A) is installed in the location illustrated in FIG. 12.The substrate 212 is disposed more toward the outside of therefrigerator 1 compared to the image capturing portion 211 and thecommunication element comprising the communication module 213 isdisposed more toward the outside of the refrigerator 1 compared to thesubstrate 212.

There is no metal member (such as reinforcement metal component, vacuumthermal insulation panel using metal deposition) in the portion of theright-side door 103 b facing the communication module 213.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the camera device 2 is installed in aposition of the door (right-side door 103 b) of the refrigerator 1capable of capturing image of the interior of the refrigerator 1. Thebattery 208 is disposed in a location different from the portion Elocated between the communication module 213 and the right-side door 103b.

The refrigerator 1 is provided with a fridge-side controller 121illustrated in FIG. 10. The fridge-side controller 121 is configured bya microcomputer provided with CPU 121 a, ROM 121 b, RAM 121 c, and timer121 d, etc. and is configured to control the overall operation of therefrigerator 1. More specifically, the fridge-side controller 121controls the refrigeration cooling mechanism 125 and freeze coolingmechanism 126 configuring the known refrigeration cycle based on thetemperature of the fridge interior detected by the temperature sensor123 and by the opened/closed status of the door detected by the doorsensor, etc. to achieve the operational status specified for examplefrom the control panel 122.

The control panel 122 is provided with a panel display 127, a panel LED128, and a panel buzzer 129. The panel display 127 is configured todisplay the specified settings, etc. The panel LED 128 is configured toilluminate the operation switches and indicate the operational statusthrough illumination. The panel buzzer 129 is configured by apiezoelectric buzzer for example and notifies the type of operationsmade by producing a sound (sound energy) depending upon the operationmade. The control panel 122 may disturb the communication performed bythe communication module 213 serving as a communicating portion andthus, is preferably disposed in a location not facing the communicationmodule 213. For example, the control panel 122 is preferably disposed ona door where the communication module 213 does not exist and not on adoor where the communication module exists 213.

The in-room lightings 130 and 132 comprise an LED and are configured toilluminate when the door is opened. The in-room lightings 130 and 132also serve as a signal output portion and is capable of flickeringaccording to a prescribed pattern under the control of the fridge-sidecontroller 121. The prescribed flickering pattern is a signalrepresenting an image capturing instruction given by the camera device2. The image capturing instruction given by the prescribed flickeringpattern is received by the illuminance sensor 215. The light receivingproperties of the illuminance sensor 215 is specified to be relativelythe same as the light emitting properties of the LEDs of the in-roomlightings 130 and 132. Substantially the same region within thewavelength region λα illustrated in FIG. 19 is employed.

A blower 131 provided in the refrigerator 1 is configured to circulatecool air within the refrigerator 1 in normal operation. Thecommunication adaptor 134 is provided detachably to the refrigerator 1in the present embodiment. The communication adaptor 34 is configured toexchange communication with the access point 3 and with the operationterminal 4, etc. located in the room. Though only the refrigerator 1 isillustrated in FIG. 1, the communication adaptor 134 is also provided toother home appliances such as an air conditioner to establish a networkof home appliances. The communication adaptor 134 is further configuredto be capable of communicating directly with the image capturing device2 without the intervention of the access point 3. The communicationadaptor 134 is also used for visualization of system status, etc. asdescribed earlier and thus, is basically operative while therefrigerator 1 is in service.

When the operation terminal 4 is operated by the user from remotelocations to output an image capturing instruction, the image capturinginstruction is transmitted to the refrigerator 1 through the externalnetwork 5 and access point 3.

When receiving the image capturing instruction, the refrigerator 1 makesa judgement that the image capturing instruction has been received atstep R1 indicated in FIG. 20. Then, by flickering the in-room lightings130 and 132 according to a prescribed pattern, the image capturinginstruction is transmitted to the camera device 2 in the form of anoptical signal (step R2).

Next, a description will be given on the operation of the camera device2.

When the slide switch 206 of the camera device 2 is turned ON, the poweris turned ON to cause the camera-side controller 220 to execute thecontrol indicated in FIG. 21. First, the initial settings are executedby the user (step S1). In the initial settings, settings for camerafocus, timing of automatic image capturing (the time of image capturingexecuted on a daily basis), etc. are specified. The process thereafterproceeds to the sleep control (step S2, sleep controller). Whenoperating under the sleep control, the functionalities of the cameradevice 2 are stopped with the exception of the functionality ofreceiving image capturing instruction given by the in-room lighting 130or 132, and the functionality of judging whether or not the time kept bythe time keeper 220 d has reached the specified image capturing timing.It is thus, possible to suppress battery consumption of the battery 208serving as the source of power. The operation of the communicationmodule 213 is also stopped under the sleep control since constantoperation of the communication module 213 accelerates the consumption ofbattery 208. The functionality for receiving image capturing instructionfrom the in-room lighting 130 or 132 consumes battery 208 at a slowpace. It is thus, possible to save battery consumption.

The control flow returns to the normal operation mode from the sleepcontrol (step S5) when receiving image capturing instructions from thein-room lighting 130 or 132 (step S3) or when the time kept by the timekeeper 220 d reaches the image capturing timing (step S4). Then, thein-room image is captured (step S6) and the captured data is transmittedto the targeted system component (step S7).

The captured data is transmitted to the server 6 and saved at the server6. The captured data is transmitted to the operation terminal 4 from theserver 6.

The camera device 2 of the present embodiment is provided with the case200 configured to be installable inside a storage; an image capturingportion 211 provided inside the case 200; and the image capture window201 b provided on the first surface portion 201I of the case 200 andconfigured for capturing image inside the storage by the image capturingelement. The image capturing portion 211 is configured to capture imageinside the storage where the case 200 is installed. It is possible tocapture image inside the storage while allowing the image capturingportion 211 to be placed inside the case 200.

More specifically, the camera device 2 of the present embodiment isprovided with the image capturing portion 211 and a communicationelement comprising the communication module 213 as illustrated in FIGS.4 and 12. The image capturing portion 211 is configured to capture imageof the interior of the refrigerator 1. The communication module 213 isconfigured to transmit the image captured by the image capturing portion211 to a component outside the refrigerator 1. The communication module213 is disposed more toward the outer side of the refrigerator 1compared to the image capturing portion 211. According to the presentembodiment, it is possible to reduce barriers to outgoing communication(transmission of captured images) from the communication module 213 torecipients outside the refrigerator 1 compared to configuration in whichthe communication module 213 is disposed in a location more proximal tothe inner side of the refrigerator 1 compared to the image capturingportion 211, and thereby provide good outgoing communication. The cameradevice 2 may be embedded in the foamed thermally resistive materialprovided inside the door. In such case, the image capturing portion 211may be configured to face the fridge interior through the inner plate ofthe door.

The camera device 2 of the present embodiment is provided with thesubstrate 212. The substrate 212 is located more toward the inner sideof the refrigerator 1 compared to the communication module 213. As aresult, the substrate 212 does not block the communication of thecommunication module 213 with the outside of the refrigerator 1 andthereby achieve good communication with external components.

Because circuit patterns made of metal materials are formed on the mainsubstrate 212A and the auxiliary substrate 212B of the substrate 212,there is a risk of the communication performed by the communicationmodule 213 being disturbed. However, because the substrate 212 islocated more toward the inner side of the refrigerator 1 compared to thecommunication module 213, it is possible to prevent the metal circuitpatterns from disturbing the communication between the communicationmodule 213 and the outside of the refrigerator 1.

The circuit pattern is formed substantially throughout the auxiliarysubstrate 212B as a ground pattern 212Bc. It is thus, possible toimprove the electric shielding properties of the case 200. The electricshielding properties, however, also operates as a strong shield toelectric waves. According to the present embodiment, because thesubstrate 212 is located more towards the inner side of the refrigerator1 than the communication module 213, the ground pattern 212Bc does notdisturb the communication between the communication module 213 and theoutside of the refrigerator 1.

The image capturing portion 211 and the communication module 213 of thepresent embodiment are organized into unit 2A. The battery 208 providedto the unit 2A is disposed in a location that does not cover thecommunication module 213. According to the present embodiment, it ispossible to prevent the battery 208 from disturbing the communication ofthe communication module 213 even when the battery 208 containing metalcomponent is provided in the unit 2A.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the unit 2A is attached to a location capableof capturing image of the interior of the refrigerator 1 from the door(right-side door 103 b) provided to the refrigerator 1. The battery 208is disposed in a location different from portion E located between thecommunication module 213 and the right-side door 103 b. According to thepresent embodiment, because the battery 208 is not disposed in theportion E existing in the direction of communication of thecommunication module 213 towards the outside of the refrigerator 1, thecommunication of the communication module 213 with the outside of therefrigerator 1 is not disturbed by the battery 208.

The unit 2A is configured by the image capturing portion 211, thesubstrate 212, and the communication module stored in the case 200 madeof nonmetal material. According to the present embodiment, thecommunication performance of the communication module 213 is notdegraded even when placed inside the case 200.

The left-side door 103 a and the right-side door 103 b of the presentembodiment is made of nonmetal material such as glass. According to thepresent embodiment, is possible to reduce the disturbance ofcommunication performance of the communication module 213 by the doorwhen the camera device 2 is located at the left-side door 103 a or theright-side door 103 b.

In the present embodiment, there is no metal member (such asreinforcement metal component, vacuum thermal insulation panel usingmetal deposition) in the portion of the right-side door 103 b facing thecommunication module 213. According to the present embodiment, it ispossible to provide good communication between the communication module213 and external recipients. The reinforcement metal component is acomponent shaped like a flat plate mounted on the rear surface of thefront plate of the glass door for adding strength to the glass. Thereinforcement metal component may be mounted to a location not facingthe communication module 213 such as a door not provided with thecommunication module 213 or the periphery of the communication module213. It is possible to improve thermal insulativity without disturbingcommunication by providing the vacuum thermal insulation panel inlocations similar to those described for reinforcement metal component.The vacuum thermal insulation panel comprises a bag formed of metaldeposited films which is vacuumed after stuffing fiber such as glasswool.

The unit 2A is provided in the opening end side of the right-side door103 b of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, by providingthe unit 2A in the opening end side of the right-side door 103 b, it ispossible to proximate the unit 2A to the clearance S (or to the exteriorof the refrigerator 1) between the right-side door 103 b and theleft-side door 103 a to improve the communication by the communicationmodule 213 as illustrated in FIG. 13.

Distance H1 (see FIG. 4) between the antenna 213 c of the communicationmodule 213 and the substrate 212 (main substrate 212A) of the presentembodiment is configured to be equal to or less than ½ of the wavelengthλ of wireless radio waves such as 10 mm. According to the presentembodiment, it is possible to prevent the wireless radio waves from notreaching the communication module 213 when the communication module 213attempts to receive radio waves from external components. When thedistance between the antenna 213 c of the communication module 213 andthe substrate 212 (main substrate 212A) containing metal is a multipleof ½ of the wavelength λ (120 mm) of wireless radio waves such as 60 mm,120 mm, and 180 mm, the incident wave and the reflective wave cancel oneanother and may cause the radio waves to be unreachable. Because thedistance H1 is specified to be equal to or less than ½ of the wavelengthλ of wireless radio waves such as 10 mm in the present embodiment, theabove described measurements have been avoided to prevent the radiowaves from being unreachable.

When the distance H1 is specified to 30 mm which is ¼ of the wavelengthλ, there is a high possibility of the incident wave and the reflectivewave coming into phase to double the intensity of the electric waves andimprove communication performance even more effectively.

According to the present embodiment, the arrangement of the center ofgravity G of the camera device 2 provides the following effects.

The camera device 2 is installed to a door of the refrigerator 1 and isprovided with the case 200 and the image capturing portion 211 disposedinside the case 200. The image capturing portion 212 is configured tocapture images of the interior of the refrigerator 1. The center ofgravity G of the camera device 2 as a whole is arranged to be differentfrom the center (volume center) C of the case 200. According to thepresent embodiment, it is possible to install the camera device 2 moresteadily when placed in the case 200 so that the center of gravity G ofthe camera device 2 is located below the center C of the case 200compared to being installed so that the center of gravity G of thecamera device 2 is located above the center C of the case 200. It isthus, possible to prevent the camera device 2 from being displaced evenwhen the right-side door 103 b to which the camera device 2 is installedis opened or closed.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the case 200 of the present embodiment isprovided with the battery 208. The battery 208 is disposed in the lowerportion of the case 200. According to the present embodiment, becausethe battery 208 having a large mass is provided in the lower portion ofthe case 200, it is possible to locate the center of gravity G of theentire camera device 2 in a position below the center C of the case 200.

In the present embodiment, operators 216 b and 217 b (serving as aswitch and a preventing element) constituting a part of the settingswitch 216 and the mode switch 217 are provided on the outer surface ofthe upper wall 201J of the case 200 located on the opposite side of thecase 200 from where the battery 208 is disposed. According to thepresent embodiment, it is possible to prevent the case 200 from beingdisposed such that the battery 208 is located in the upper side of thecase 200 (center of gravity G being located above the center C). Whenthere is no setting switch 216 or mode switch 217 provided on the uppersurface 201J located in the opposite side of the case 200 with respectto the battery 208, the user may unintentionally install the case 200upside down in which the upper surface 201J faces downward as theplacement surface (under surface) as there is no reason for the user tomake the upper surface 201J to face upward. By providing switchescomprising the setting switch 216 and the mode switch 217 serving as thepreventing element on the upper surface 201J, it is possible to preventthe user from installing the case 200 upside down in which the uppersurface 201J faces downward as the placement surface. As a result, it ispossible to locate the center of gravity C of the camera device 2 as awhole to be located below the center C of the case 200. It is alsopossible to provide a preventing element comprising a pointed tip or arounded tip on the upper surface 201J to make it difficult to use theupper surface 201J as the placement surface.

The case 200 of the present embodiment is mounted on the holder case 150disposed at the right-side door 103 b and being shaped like an open topbox. The height Hh of the wall 150 a of the holder case 150, locatedproximal to the inner side of the storage, is configured to be greaterthan half the height of the case 200 of the camera device 2. Accordingto the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the camera device 2from falling out of the holder case 150 when opening or closing theright-side door 103 b. That is, when the height Hn of the wall 150 a ofthe holder case 150, located proximal to the inner side of the storage,is configured to be less than the half of the height of the case 200, itbecomes easier for the case 200 to fall out of the holder case 150 whenopening or closing the right-side door 103 b. The present embodimentinhibits such occurrences.

The setting switch 216 and the mode switch 217 are configured in adifferent structure (configured as a push switch) from the slide switch.Thus, the operators 216 a and 217 a are not moved even when a forceoriented in the opening direction (direction of arrow OP indicated inFIG. 13) and in the closing direction (direction of arrow CL in FIG. 13)are exerted when the right-side door 103 b is opened or closed. Thisprevents unintended switching of the switches 216 and 217.

The present embodiment is provided with the slide switch 206 disposed onthe right-side door 103 b and being configured to be turned ON and OFFby sliding operation of the operator 206 a. The operator 206 a of theslide switch 206 is configured to slide in the up and down direction andthe slide switch 206 is turned ON when the operator 206 a is sliddownward. According to the present embodiment, the slide switch 206 isnot unintentionally turned OFF when the right-side door 103 b is openedor closed. The operation 206 a of the slide switch 206 slides in the upand down direction which is different from the direction in which theright-side door 103 b is opened or closed. Thus, the operator 206 anormally does not move neither in the opening direction nor the closingdirection when the right-side door 103 b is opened or closed. However,when the operator 206 a is configured to be turned ON when the operator206 a is moved upward, the operator 206 a may be switched off by movingin the gravitational direction (downward) depending upon the impactsuffered when the right-side door 103 b is strongly opened or closed.According to the present embodiment, the operator 206 a is configured toslide in the up and down direction and turned ON when moved downward.Thus, when a downward force is exerted on the operator 206 a by theimpact suffered when the right-side door 103 b is opened or closed, theoperator 206 a is already located in the downward position and thus,stays turned ON. Thus, there are no instances where the slide switch 206is unintentionally turned OFF when the right-side door 103 b is openedor closed.

The range of image capturing by the image capturing portion 211 includesleft and right edges in the far side of the storage (points P1 and P2 inFIG. 11) or the upper and lower edges in the far side of the storage(points P3 and P4 in FIG. 11) when the image capturing portion 211 islocated at the center of the door comprising the left-side door 103 aand the right-side door 103 b. The above described image capturing rangeof the present embodiment can be ensured even if the location of thecamera device 2 is slightly shifted from the center of the door.

The range of image capturing by the image capturing portion 211 ispreferably arranged to include the front end portions of every shelf 111disposed inside the storage when the image capturing portion 211 islocated at the center of the closed door (comprising the left-side door103 a and the right-side door 103 b). It is especially preferably toinclude the left and right end portions of the front end portions of theshelves 111 (points P11 to P18 in FIG. 11). When there is only one shelf111, the left and right end portions of the front end portion arepreferably included in the image capturing range.

It is further preferable to include the front end portions of at leasttwo adjacent shelves among multiple shelves disposed in the up and downdirection. It is especially preferable to include the left and right endportions of the front end portion (points P11 to P14, or P13 to P16, orP15 to P18) in the image capturing range. At least the left and rightend portions of the front end portion of the uppermost shelf 111 and thelowermost shelf 111 (points P11, P12, P17, and P18) may be included inthe image capturing range in FIG. 11.

The image capturing element 211 is provided with a wide lens. It isthus, possible to capture a wide image of the storage interior even whenthere is not much distance between the image capturing portion 211 andthe storage item (shelf 111).

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the image capturing portion 211, the substrate212, and the communication element comprising a communication module 213are disposed in the listed sequence inside the case 200. The battery 208is disposed below the image capturing portion 211, the substrate 212,and the communication module 213. It is thus, possible in the presentembodiment to lower the center of gravity G of the camera device 2 belowthe center C of the case 200.

FIGS. 22 to 36 illustrate a second to ninth embodiment. The elementsthat are identical to those already described are identified withidentical reference symbols for ease of explanation and are notre-described. While the differences from the first embodiment aredescribed, the first embodiment will be described in more detail.

Second Embodiment

In the embodiment described above, the camera device 2 is organized intounit 2A (integrated structure) comprising case 200 containing imagecapturing portion 211, substrate 212, and communication module 213. Thecommunication module 213 may be isolated from the case 200. This willallow the communication module 213 to be disposed wherever appropriatefor good communication.

As illustrated in FIG. 22 of the second embodiment for example, thecamera device 2 may be configured by the communication module 213 and aunit 2A′ free of the communication 213. The communication module 213 maybe provided in the upper portion of the opening end side of theright-side door 103 b. Providing the access point 3 in the upper portion(hinge portion) of the refrigerator 1 will improve communicationperformance.

The communication module 213 may be provided in the control panel. Thecommunication module 213 may be installed in a storage space providedinside the urethane from the front surface of the front panel of theglass door. The communication module 213 may be provided on a substrateprovided with a capacitance detector allowing user operation on thefront surface of the front panel of the glass door. It is possible toreduce the length of electric connection lines by providing thesubstrate at a location facing the image capturing portion 211. Thesubstrate may be configured to be insertable/removable from the storagespace. The storage space is preferably provided near the edge of thedoor and rendered accessible from an opening so that the substrate maybe inserted into or removed from the opening. This will allow thecommunication module 213 to be removed from the door to be subjected tomaintenance. Providing metal parts (such as metal plates for addingstructural strength and vacuum thermal insulation panels, for example)will not disturb communication as long as they are provided in thestorage interior side of the storage space.

The door for installing the camera device may be a drawer-type door. Thedoor for installing the camera device may be a single door instead of adouble door opening in a direction opposed from one another. The storageis not limited to a refrigerator but may be a refrigeration case, acontainer, or a storage ware house.

Third Embodiment

The configuration of the refrigerator 1 and the camera device 2 in thethird embodiment is basically the same as those of the first embodiment.A description will be given hereinafter with an emphasis on therefrigerator 1 being a food storage and the camera device 2 beingprovided with a water proof element. Effects achieved by the embodimentand modified examples will also be discussed.

The refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator 1 is configured byconnecting a cooler, a condenser, and a compressor with a piping. Coolair is blown into the fridge by an airflow produced by the fan. Therefrigerant of the refrigeration cycle employs flammable refrigerantsuch as isobutane R600, etc.

The camera device 2 of the third embodiment is used in a food storageand placed inside the refrigerator 1. The specification of the battery208 of the camera device 2 is 30 W and 6.0V. In the body case 201 of thecamera device illustrated in FIG. 3, the packing 203 and 210, and the Oring 211 f serve as both a water proof element and an explosion proofelement. Further, the structure in which the reed switch 206 c and theoperator 206 a are isolated by the wall of the recess 201 f provided onthe right-side wall 201M is referred to as the water proof-explosionproof element.

The refrigerator 1 being one example of the food storage often storeliquid (water, juice, soup, etc.) and liquid substances (mayonnaise,curry, etc.). The user may accidently spill the liquids or the liquidsubstances inside the refrigerator 1 when taking food in and out of therefrigerator 1. Food covered in dew or water may be stored in therefrigerator 1. In such case, image capturing may not work well when theliquid or liquid substance attach to the lens and pour into the case.

In this respect, the camera device 2 is provided with the imagecapturing portion 211 configured to capture image of the interior of therefrigerator 1, the case 200 containing the image capturing portion 211,and the water proof element configured to provide a water-tightly sealbetween the inside and the outside of the case 200. According to thethird embodiment (as well as the first and the second embodiment), it ispossible to prevent liquid and liquid substance attached to the cameradevice 2 from entering into the case 200.

The case 200 of the camera device 2 comprises a first case comprisingthe body case 201 and a second case comprising the lid case 202 joinedwith one another over a water proof element comprising the packing 203.It is thus, possible to prevent intrusion of liquid from the joiningportion of the case 200.

Battery storage 207 is provided inside the case 200 of the camera device2. The battery storage 207 is provided with opening 207 a for taking thebattery in and out. The battery 208 is inserted in place through theopening 207 a. The opening 207 a of the battery storage 207 is openedand closed by a battery lid 209. A water proof element comprising apacking 210 is provided between the opening 207 a and the battery lid209.

The battery is used as the source of power so that the camera device 2may be located in any given location. Further, a sleep control isnormally performed to suppress battery consumption. When the battery 208gets wet by exposure to liquid, the battery 208 may be shorted or causeunexpected electric current to flow through the circuit and use up thebattery in a short period of time. In this respect, the camera device 2is provided with a packing 210 between the opening 207 a of the batterystorage 207 and the battery lid 209 to prevent liquid, etc. fromentering the battery storage 207. It is thus, possible to prevent thebattery 208 from getting wet by exposure to liquid.

The battery lid 209 is screw fastened to the opening 207 a of thebattery storage 207. It is thus, possible to attach the battery lid 209more tightly to the opening 207 a compared to attachment throughengagement and achieve the water proof effect more reliably.

Because the packings 203 and 210 are made of silicone rubber, optimalflexibility required for exerting water proof functionality can beobtained to provide excellent water proof performance.

The image capture window 201 b is further provided on the case 200 andthe lens holder 211 a serving as the outer housing of the imagecapturing portion 211 is inserted into the image capture window 201 b. Awater proof element comprising an O ring is provided between the lensholder 211 a and the image capture window 201 b to prevent liquid, etc.from entering the case 200 from the image capture window 201 b.

Apart from the image capture window 201 b, components such as the imagecapture lighting windows 201 c and illuminance sensor window 201 d areprovided on the first surface portion 201I of the case 200 provided withthe image capture window 201 b.

In the above described configuration, a water proof element comprisingthe cover member 204 is attached to the first surface portion 201I. Ahole 204 a is formed on the portion of the cover member 204 opposing theimage capture window 201 b. The hole 204 a allows the image capturewindow 201 b to face the outside of the cover member 204. There are noother holes formed on the cover member 204 besides the hole 204 a. Inthe present embodiment, it is possible to provide water proof protectionon the first surface portion 201I except for the image capture window201 b and thus, water proof protection can be provided for the imagecapture lighting windows 201 c and the illuminance sensor window 201 dand thereby prevent intrusion of liquid from the image capture lightingwindows 201 c and the illuminance sensor window 201 d.

In the above described structure, cover member 204 is bonded on thefirst surface portion 201I of the case 200. It is thus, possible tofacilitate the attachment of the cover member 204 on the first surfaceportion 201I.

The illuminance sensor 215 is provided inside the case 200 of the cameradevice 2. The illuminance sensor window 201 d is formed on the firstsurface portion 201I of the case 200 to allow the illuminance sensor 215to face the outside of the illuminance case 200. The cover member 204 ismade of a transparent material. A design is printed on the cover member204. However, the design is not printed on the portion of the covermember 204 facing the illuminance sensor window 201 d. Because the covermember 204 of the camera device 2 is made of a transparent material andthe design is not printed on the portion of the cover member 204 facingthe illuminance sensor window 201 d, it is possible to provide waterproof protection to the illuminance sensor window 201 d by the covermember 204 while securing incidence of light into the illuminance sensorwindow 201 d from the outside. It is thus, possible to ensure smoothsensing by the illuminance sensor 215.

The printed design is formed on the surface of the cover member 204being attached to the case 200, that is, on the inner surface of thecover member 204. Thus, the printed design will not be damaged by, forexample, scratching with another object when installing or using thecamera device 2.

The camera device 2 is provided with a setting switch 216 comprising apush switch and a mode switch 217 inside the case 200. Switch throughholes 201 e are provided on the case 200 to allow the operators 216 aand 217 a of each of the switches to be operated from outside the case200. The switch through holes 201 e are covered by a water proof elementcomprising a switch cover 205. The switch cover 205 prevents liquid fromentering the switch through holes 201 e provided on the case 200.

A switch cover 205 for covering the switch holes 201 e is applied bybonding on an upper surface 201J of the case 200 of the camera device 2where the switch holes 201 e are provided. It is thus, possible to apply(attach) the switch cover 205 on the upper surface 201J with ease.

Designs 205 a are printed on the switch cover 205 of the camera device2. The designs 205 a are printed on the surface of the switch cover 205being bonded on the upper surface 201J. It is possible to prevent thedesigns 205 a from being damaged by, for example, scratching withanother object when installing or using the camera device 2.

The camera device 2 is provided with the reed switch 206 c on theright-side wall 201M of the case 200. The operating member 206 aprovided with the magnet 206 b is disposed movably on an outer surfaceof the right-side wall 201M, the operating member 206 a being movablebetween a position opposing the reed switch 206 c over the right-sidewall 201M and a position not opposing the reed switch 206 c overright-side wall 201M. The structure in which the reed switch 206 c andthe operating member 206 a are isolated by the right-side wall 201M isreferred to as the water proof element. It is thus, possible to providewater proof protection between the operator 206 a and the reed switch206 c by the wall of the case 200.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, connection terminals comprising batteryconnection terminals 212Bb configured to establish connection withelectrical components and comprising flexible cables 211 g, 212Bd, and212Aa provided inside the case 200. The connection terminals aredisposed so as to be distanced from the inner surface of the case 200.As a result, it is possible to prevent the connection terminals fromgetting wet even when dew condensate develops on the inner surface ofthe case 200. Because the battery 208 is also distanced from the innersurface of the case 200, it is possible to prevent the battery 208 fromgetting wet by the dew condensate.

The substrate 212 (212A, 212B) is distanced from the inner surface ofthe case 200 as illustrated in FIG. 4. It is thus, possible prevent thesubstrate 212 from getting wet even when dew condensate develops on theinner surface of the case 200.

The outermost surface of the image capturing portion 211 of the cameradevice 2 is retracted with respect to the outer most portion of theimage capture window 201 b. Thus, the image capturing portion 211 willnot be scratched or damaged by the shelf 111 in the present embodiment,even when the camera device 2 is disposed with the first surface portion201I facing downward so that the first surface portion 201I is placedfor example on the upper surface of the shelf 111.

The battery 208 of the camera device 2 comprises a lithium battery.Thus, a long battery life is ensured in a refrigeration temperature zonewhen the food storage is a refrigerator 1. The camera device 2 is thus,suitable for use in a refrigerator. The battery 208 comprises a primarybattery and thus, dew condensate does not easily develop unlike thesecondary battery. The camera device 2, therefore does not easilybreakdown. Temperature elevation of a secondary battery measured oncompletion of battery recharge is high. Thus, facilitates development ofdew condensate on the battery surface.

FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate modified examples of the water proof elementof the third embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 23, the cover member 204may be configured to cover the first surface portion 201I of the case200 including the image capture window 201 b. In such case, the entiresurface of the image capture window 201 b is preferably planarized.

As illustrated in FIG. 24, a water proof element comprising a waterproof sheet 230 formed of a transparent member may be provided on thefront side (in the image capturing direction) of the lens comprising theouter lens 211 of the image capturing portion 211. As a result, it ispossible to damage proof and water proof the outer lens 211 b.

The food storage is not limited to a refrigerator but may be arefrigeration case or a food storage warehouse.

The refrigeration cycle employs flammable refrigerant. The water proofelement described above also serves as an explosion proof element. It isthus, possible to prevent the flammable refrigerant from entering thecamera device 2 which is an electric product and provide explosion prooffunction even when refrigerant leaks into the refrigerator with thecamera device disposed inside the refrigerator provided withrefrigeration cycle using flammable refrigerant. A battery having a lowvoltage of a prescribed level being less than 100V (such as 6.0V) isused in applying voltages to the electrical connection portions of theimage capturing element, the communication element, etc. instead of thecommercial voltage of 100V. Such configuration serves as an explosionproof element to prevent ignition.

Fourth Embodiment

FIGS. 25 to 27 each pertains to a fourth embodiment and illustrates anexample of a slide switch 206. The orientation of the slide switches 206(or the orientation of the characters “ON” and “OFF”) differ in each ofFIGS. 25 to 27 but the switches are identified with identical referencesymbol for ease of explanation.

In the first embodiment, the slide switch 206 is configured to slide itsoperator 206 a in the up and down direction. The operator 206 a of theslide switch 206 may be configured to slide in a direction differentfrom the up and down direction as will be described in the fourthembodiment.

The slide switch 206 of the fourth embodiment illustrated in FIG. 25 isprovided so that the operator 206 a is located on the upper surface 201Jof the case 200. The operator 206 a slides substantially in the samedirection as the direction of opening and closing of the right-side door103 b (directions indicated by arrow OP and arrow CL). The switch isturned ON when the operator 206 a is moved to the direction in which theright-side door 103 b is closed (direction indicated by arrow CL). Inthe present embodiment, force is exerted on the operator 206 a in theopening direction or the closing direction when the door is right-sidedoor 103 b is opened or closed. Greater force is exerted in thedirection to close the door especially by the impact experienced whenthe right-side door 103 b is closed. Because the switch 206 isconfigured to be turned ON when moved to the direction in which theright-side door 103 b is closed, the operator 206 a, already being inthe turned ON position in the opening direction side, stays unmoved inthe ON state even when a large force is exerted in the closingdirection. Thus, the slide switch 206 will not easily turn OFF whenopening or closing the right-side door 103 b.

The slide switch 206 illustrated in FIG. 26 is provided so that theoperator 206 a is located on the upper surface 201J of the case 200. Theoperator 206 a slides in the direction substantially orthogonal(direction indicated by arrow Q and the opposite direction) to thedirection of opening and closing of the right-side door 103 b (therevolving direction since the right-side door 103 b is arevolving-type). The operator 206 a is turned ON when moved to thedirection toward the opening/closing end of the door (directionindicated by arrow Q). By providing the slide switch 206 so that theoperator 206 a is located on the upper surface 201J of the case 200 soas to slide in the direction substantially orthogonal (directionindicated by arrow Q and the opposite direction) to the direction ofopening and closing of the right-side door 103 b (the revolvingdirection since the right-side door 103 b is a revolving-type) as is thecase in the present embodiment, centrifugal force is exerted on theoperator 206 a when the right-side door 103 b is closed. Because theoperator 206 a is configured to be turned ON when moved to in adirection oriented from the center of rotation of the right-side door103 b to the opening/closing end of the door (direction indicated byarrow Q), the operator 206 a, already being in the turned ON position,stays unmoved in the ON state even when a large centrifugal force isexerted in the closing direction. Thus, the slide switch 206 will noteasily turn OFF when opening or closing the right-side door 103 b.

The slide switch 206 illustrated in FIG. 27 is the same as the slideswitch 206 illustrated in FIG. 26 except for the operator 206 a beingprovided on the right surface 201M of the case 200. The slide switch 206illustrated in FIG. 27 provided the effects similar to those of theslide switch 206 illustrated in FIG. 26.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 28 corresponding to FIG. 18 illustrates the camera device 2 of thefifth embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 28, the camera device 2 may beconfigured so that the image capturing portion 211 is located below thevertical center (represented by the reference symbol C1) of the case200. As a result, it is possible to reduce the shifting of the imagecapturing range even when the camera device 2 moves (the upper portiontilts) when opening or closing the right-side door 103 b since themovement of the image capturing portion 211 can be made small.

The door in which the camera device is placed may be a drawer-type door,in which case, the camera will not be displaced from its original placeof installation even when the drawer-type door is opened or closed. Thedoor for installing the camera device may be a single door as describedearlier. The clearance between the door pocket 109 b and the cameradevice 2 illustrated in FIG. 12 and is preferably specified to be equalto less than a length that would inhibit storage of a PET bottlecontaining beverages (Preferably 7 cm being equal to or less than 8.9 cmwhich is the outer diameter of a 1.5 liter PET bottle and morepreferably specified to 5 cm being equal to or less than 6.8 cm which isthe outer diameter of a 500 milliliter PET bottle). It is preferable toemploy a configuration inhibiting the storage of PET bottles since a PETbottle, when placed in front of the camera device 2, disables imagecapturing.

Sixth Embodiment

FIGS. 29 to 31 pertain to the sixth embodiment. A description will begiven on the differences from the first embodiment as well assimilarities with the first embodiment in terms of effects achievablewith focus placed on the positioning of the camera device 2 and on thelens provided to the camera device 2. As illustrated in FIG. 31, theimage capture window 201 b is tapered so as to increase its diametertoward the outer side. Thus, the image capture window 201 b will notinterfere with the range of image capturing of the later described imagecapturing portion 211.

As illustrated in FIG. 29, the multiple shelves 111 a to 111 d of thesixth embodiment corresponds to a plate member made of, for example, atransparent material such as glass. Each of the shelves 111 a to 111 dare substantially horizontal and are parallel to one another.

As illustrated in FIGS. 29 and 30, the camera device 2 is disposed, forexample, on the upper surface of the uppermost shelf 111 a. The locationwhere the camera device 2 is to be disposed is designated by thelocating member 180. In the present embodiment, the plate membercomprises substantially horizontal shelves 111 a to 111 d. The firstsurface portion 201I serving as the placement surface is placed on theupper surface of the shelf 111 a. The range of image capturing by theimage capturing portion 211 when the first surface portion 201I of thecase 200 is placed downwardly on the center of the bottom surface of theuppermost shelf 111 a includes the left and right end portions or thefront and rear ends of the bottom surface of the storage interior (therefrigeration chamber 103 in this example). When the camera device 2 isinstalled in the above described manner, the lens (the outermost lens211 b) does not contact the shelf 111 a as can been seen in FIG. 31.

In the sixth embodiment, the camera device 2 is provided with the case200 and the image capturing portion 211 provided inside the case andserving as an image capturing element. The camera device 2 is configuredto capture image of the inside of the refrigeration chamber 103 (insideof the storage chamber) by the image capturing portion 211 through theimage capture window 201 b provided on the first surface portion 201I ofthe case 200. The camera device 2 is placed on the shelf 111 a providedin the refrigerator 1 so that the first surface portion 201I of the case200 faces the interior of the refrigeration chamber 103. The shelf 111 ais an example of a plate member for placing storage items.

The shelves 111 a to 111 d are provided for placing storage items andthus, are disposed so as to be substantially horizontal. Hence, they aresuitable for installing the case 200 of the camera device 2. Especiallywhen the first surface portion 201I (the surface where the outer lens211 b is provided and facing the direction of image capturing) of thecase 200 is downwardly placed on the upper surface of the uppermostshelf 111 a, it is possible to obtain a wide image capturing range ofthe storage interior. It is thus, possible in the present embodiment toorient the camera device 2 in the appropriate image capturing directionby utilizing the shelf 111 a. It is possible to capture image below theshelf 111 a since the shelf 111 a is made of a transparent member. Whenthe shelf 111 a is not transparent, a hole for image capturing may beformed on a portion of the shelf 111 a corresponding to the imagecapturing portion 211.

The lens provided to the image capturing portion 211 comprises an outerlens 211 and a lens assembly 211 c. The outer lens 211 b is disposed atthe image capture window 201 b so as not to contact the shelf 111 a. Itis thus, possible to prevent the outer lens 211 b from beingcontaminated or damaged.

The outer lens 211 b is provided in a location retracted from the firstsurface portion 201I of the case 200. It is thus, possible to preventthe outer lens 211 b from being contaminated or damaged. The outer lens211 b does not project from the first surface portion 201I and thus. Thefirst surface portion 201I may thus, be planarized and be used as theplacement surface.

The lens comprises a wide-angle lens configured by the outer lens 211 band the lens assembly 211 c. It has been arranged so that the edges ofthe image capture window 201 b do not interfere with the image capturingrange of the image capturing portion 211 though a wide-angle lens isbeing used. It is thus, possible in the present embodiment to make fulluse of the wide image capturing range provided by the wide-angle lens inimage capturing.

In the present embodiment, the lens comprises a wide angle lens and theplate member comprises plural shelves 111 a to 111 d each beingsubstantially horizontal. The first surface portion 201I of the case 200is disposed facing downward at the center of an upper surface of theuppermost shelf 111 a. The range of image capturing by the imagecapturing element includes the left and right edges of a bottom surfaceof the storage or the front and rear edges of the bottom surface of thestorage. It is thus, possible to capture image of a sufficiently widerange of the storage interior.

The shelf 111 a being one example of a plate member is made of atransparent material. It is thus, possible to capture image below theshelf 111 a even when the first surface portion 201I of the case 200 isplaced on the upper surface of the shelf 111 a. The illuminance sensor215 is provided on the first surface portion 201I of the case 200. Inthe present embodiment, it is possible to detect light inside thestorage (flickering of the in-room lightings 130 and 132 according to aprescribed pattern) even when the first surface portion 201I is placedon the plate member since the plate member is transparent. The lens isarranged to face the first surface portion 201I and the first surfaceportion 201I is arranged to receive light (flickering in the prescribedpattern) from the in-room lightings 130 and 132. Thus, providing theilluminance sensors 215 on the first surface portion 201I facilitateslight reception form the in-room lightings 130 and 132.

The case 200 is formed into a cuboid. It is thus, possible to use any ofthe surfaces as the placement surface. For example, the first surfaceportion 201I may face upward or sideways.

The image capture window 201 b is formed at the center of the firstsurface portion 201I of the case 200. For example, when relocating thecamera device 2 in FIGS. 30 and 31, it is possible to capture images ofthe same image capturing range even when the case 200 is turned 180degrees in the horizontal direction.

The first surface portion 201I of the case 200 is provided with theimage capture lighting 214 serving as the image capture lighting forilluminating the interior of the storage. It is thus, possible tocapture good image in the dark when the door of the storage is closed.Plural image capturing lightings 214 are provided around the imagecapture window 201 b in the present embodiment. It is thus, possible tocast wide range of light on the view of the image capturing portion 211.

Plural image capture lightings 214 are provided on two opposing sides ofthe image capture window 201 b. It is thus, possible to cast light onboth sides of the center of image capturing and cast light on the entireimage capturing range regardless of whether the image capturing range islongitudinally elongate or laterally elongate.

The image capture lightings 214 are distanced equally from the imagecapture window 201 b. It is thus, possible to evenly illuminate theimage capturing view of the image capturing portion 211.

An illuminance sensor 215 is provided on the first surface portion 201Iof the case 200. The light receiving properties of the illuminancesensor 215 is configured to be substantially identical to the lightemitting properties of the in-room lightings 130 and 132 serving asilluminating elements provided in the storage. This improves the lightsensitivity of the illuminance sensor 215 and allow the image capturinginstructions (flickering of light in the prescribed pattern) to bereliably detected.

A projection may be provided on the first surface portion 201I of thecase 200 that projects further outward from the case 200 than the lens(outer lens 211 b). This will prevent the lens from contacting the shelf111 a.

Seventh Embodiment

FIGS. 32 and 33 pertain to a seventh embodiment where FIG. 32 is abroken side view and FIG. 33 is a front view of the vegetable chamber.In the seventh embodiment, the plate member comprises a shelf and upperand lower storage containers, namely upper vegetable container 104 b andlower vegetable container 104 c. The first surface portion 201I of thecase 200 may be placed on the upper surface of the bottom portion of theupper vegetable container 104 b. In such case, the range of imagecapturing by the image capturing portion 211 when the first surfaceportion 201I of the case 200 is placed downwardly on the center of thebottom surface of the upper vegetable container 104 b includes the leftand right end portions or the front and rear end portions of the bottomsurface of the lower vegetable container 104 c.

In the seventh embodiment, it is possible to dispose the case 200 in theproper orientation (the orientation for capturing image of the interiorof the lower vegetable container 104 c) by utilizing the upper vegetablecontainer 102 b while achieving proper range of image capturing.

An operating portion of a switch may be provided on the first surfaceportion 201I of the case 200, in which case, the operating portion ispreferably coplanar with or retracted relative to the first surfaceportion 201I. By doing so, it is possible to place the first surfaceportion 201I on the plate member (use the first surface portion 201I asthe placement surface) when the operating portion of the switch isprovided on the first surface portion 201I.

An illuminance sensor may be provided on a surface of the case 200different from the first surface portion 201I. As a result it ispossible to receive the light of the prescribed flickering patternproduced by the in-room lightings 130 and 132 when the first surfaceportion 201I is used as the placement surface.

Eighth Embodiment

In an eight embodiment, the camera device 2 may be configured so thatthe image capturing portion 211 projects from the image capture window201 b provided on the first surface portion 201I of the case 200 asillustrated in FIG. 34. In such case, a mounting member 235 ispreferably disposed on the firsts surface portion 201I side to preventthe outer lens of the image capturing portion 211 from contacting theshelf 111 a (plate member).

Ninth Embodiment

In a ninth embodiment, the first surface portion 201I of the case 200may be disposed on the inner surface of the vertical wall of the doorpocket 109 b as illustrated in FIG. 35. The door pocket 109 b is alsoreferred to as a plate member. In such case, the vertical wall of thedoor pocket 109 b faces the fridge interior and thus, the first surfaceportion 201I also faces the fridge interior. It is thus, possible todispose the first surface portion 201I in the appropriate orientation byutilizing the door pocket 109 b.

The elements of the embodiments described above may be combined with oneanother. Elements may be further added, removed, or replaced withanother.

For example, the configurations of: “the communication module 213 beinglocated further to the outer side of the refrigerator 1 than the imagecapturing portion 211”; “providing a water-tight seal between the insideand the outside of the case 200”; “the center of gravity G of the entirecamera device 2 being disposed in a different location from the center(volume center) C of the case 200”; and “the case 200 being installed inthe refrigerator 1 provided with a plate member for placement of astored item comprising shelf 111 a, so that the case is placed on theplate member with the first surface portion facing the interior of thestorage” may all be implemented or may be selectively implemented.

The following embodiments taken alone or in combination falls within thescope and the spirit of the invention.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, thesubstrate has a metal circuit pattern formed thereon.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, thecircuit pattern comprises a ground pattern formed substantiallythroughout the surface of the substrate.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, the unitis mounted on a door of a storage so as to be capable of capturing imageof the interior of the storage, and wherein the battery is provided in alocation different from a portion between the communication element andthe door.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, the doorcomprises a nonmetal material.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, the unitis located on an opening end side of the door.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, the casecomprises a first case and a second case joined with one another over awater proof element comprising a packing.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, the caseis provided with:

-   -   a battery storage having an opening and configured to receive a        battery inserted through the opening, and    -   a lid configured to open and close the opening of the battery        storage, the opening and the lid having a water proof element        comprising a packing disposed therebetween.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, the lidis screw mounted on the opening of the battery storage.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, thepacking comprises a silicone rubber.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, an outerhousing of the image capturing element is fitted with the image capturewindow and a water proof element comprising an O ring is disposedbetween the outer housing and the image capture window.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, the firstsurface of the case where the image capture window is located is coveredby a sheet of cover member.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, the covermember is provided with a hole only on a portion opposing the imagecapture window configured to allow the image capture window to face theoutside of the cover member.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, the covermember is bonded to the first surface portion of the case.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, anilluminance sensor is provided inside the case, the first surfaceportion of the case having an illuminance sensor window to allow theilluminance sensor to face the outside of the case, wherein the covermember comprises a transparent material, the cover member having adesign printed thereon, the design not being printed on a portion of thecover member facing the illuminance sensor window.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, the covermember is bonded on the first surface portion of the case by adouble-stick tape, and wherein the design is printed on the surface ofthe cover member bonding with the case.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, a pushswitch is provided inside the case, wherein the case is provided with aswitch through hole configured to allow operation of an operatingportion of the switch from outside the case, the switch through holebeing covered by a water proof element comprising a switch cover.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, theswitch cover is bonded on a surface of the case where the switch throughhole is located to cover the switch through hole.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, a designis printed on the switch cover, the design being printed on a surface ofthe switch cover bonding with the case.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, a reedswitch is provided near an inner surface of a first wall of the case andan operating member provided with a magnet is provided movably on anouter surface of the first wall, the operating member being movablebetween a position opposing the reed switch over the first wall and aposition not opposing the reed switch over the first wall, the firstwall isolating the reed switch and the operating member serving as thewater proof element.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, anoutermost surface of the image capturing element is retracted from anoutermost portion of the image capture window.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, a waterproof element comprising a water proof sheet is provided in a front sideof the lens of the image capturing element.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, a batteryis provided to the case, the battery comprising a lithium battery.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, a batteryis provided to the case, the battery comprising a primary battery.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, thebattery is disposed in a lower portion of the case.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, thepreventing element comprises a switch.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, the imagecapturing element is provided with a wide-angle lens.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, the imagecapturing element is located below the vertical center of the case.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, the lensis provided at a location retracted from the first surface portion ofthe case.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, the firstsurface portion of the case is provided with a projection projectingfurther toward an outer side of the case compared to the lens.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, a sheetcomprising a transparent material is provided in a direction of imagecapturing of the lens.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, the lenscomprises a wide-angle lens, wherein the image capturing element isconfigured to capture image in a range that does not capture image ofedges of the image capture window.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, the platemember provided to the storage comprises a transparent material.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, anoperating portion of a switch is provided on the first surface portionof the case, the operating portion being coplanar with or retracted withrespect to the first surface portion.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, anilluminance sensor is provided on the first surface portion of the case.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, anilluminance sensor is provided on a surface different from the firstsurface portion of the case.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, the caseis shaped like a cuboid.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, the imagecapture window is formed at a central portion of the case.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, theplural image capture lighting elements are disposed in locationssandwiching the image capture window.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, theplural image capture lighting elements are disposed in the periphery ofthe image capture window and distanced equally from the image capturewindow.

In some embodiments of the camera device for use in a storage, anilluminance sensor is provided on the first surface portion of the caseand a lighting element is provided to the storage, wherein lightreceiving properties of the illuminance sensor is substantially the sameas light emitting properties of the lighting element.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intendedto cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the inventions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A camera device for use in a storage unitcomprising: a case configured to be detachably installable inside thestorage unit to a holder unit configured to hold the case inside thestorage unit; an image capturing element provided inside the case andconfigured to capture an image inside the storage unit where the case isinstalled; an image capture window provided on a first surface portionof the case, the image capture window configured for capturing the imageinside the storage unit by the image capturing element; and a preventingelement configured to prevent the case from being attached to the holderunit in an orientation other than a predetermined orientation; whereinthe image capturing element captures the image inside the storage unitwith the case being installed in the predetermined orientation.
 2. Thecamera device according to claim 1, further comprising a communicationelement configured to transmit the image captured by the image capturingelement to the outside of the storage unit, wherein the communicationelement is located more toward an outer side of the storage unitcompared to the image capturing element.
 3. The camera device accordingto claim 2, further comprising a substrate on which the image capturingelement is mounted, wherein the substrate is located more toward aninner side of the storage unit compared to the communication element. 4.The camera device according to claim 3, wherein the image capturingelement, the substrate, and the communication element are organized intoa unit, wherein the unit is provided with a battery disposed in alocation not covering the communication element.
 5. The camera deviceaccording to claim 4, wherein the image capturing element, thesubstrate, and the communication element are stored in the case, whereinthe case is made of nonmetal material.
 6. The camera device according toclaim 5, wherein a metal member is not disposed on a portion of a doorof the storage unit facing the communication element.
 7. The cameradevice according to claim 3, wherein a distance between thecommunication element and the substrate is not a multiple of ½ of awavelength of a wireless radio wave, or wherein a distance between thecommunication element and the substrate is substantially equal to orless than ½ of a wavelength of a wireless radio wave, or wherein adistance between the communication element and the substrate issubstantially equal to ¼ of the wavelength of the wireless radio wave.8. The camera device according to claim 1, being installed in thestorage unit configured to store food as a food storage unit cameradevice, the camera device comprising a water proof element configured towater-tightly seal between the inside of the case and the outside of thecase.
 9. The camera device according to claim 8, wherein a connectionterminal, configured to connect an electrical component, or a battery isprovided inside the case, wherein the connection terminal or the batteryis distanced from an inner surface of the case, or wherein the substratelocated inside the case is distanced from the inner surface of the case.10. The camera device according to claim 1 installed on a door of thestorage unit wherein a center of gravity of the camera device isdisplaced from the center of the case.
 11. The camera device accordingto claim 10, further comprising a battery, wherein the case is providedwith the preventing element on an outer surface thereof located on theopposite side of the case where the battery is located, the preventingelement being configured to prevent the case from being placed onanother object through the outer surface.
 12. The camera deviceaccording to claim 10, wherein the case is mounted on a holder caseserving as the holder unit and shaped like an open top box, a wall ofthe holder case located proximal to an inner side of the storage unitbeing longer than half of the height of the case.
 13. The camera deviceaccording to claim 10, further comprising a switch, wherein the switchis not a slide switch, or further comprising a first slide switchdisposed on the door and being configured to be turned on and off by asliding operation of an operator, wherein the operator of the firstslide switch is configured to slide in the up and down direction, thefirst slide switch being turned on when the operator is slid downward,or further comprising a second slide switch disposed on the door andbeing configured to be turned on and off by a sliding operation, whereinthe second slide switch is configured to slide in a direction other thanthe up and down direction, or further comprising a third slide switchconfigured to be turned on and off by a sliding operation, wherein thethird slide switch is configured to slide in a direction in which thedoor is opened and closed, the direction in which the third slide switchis turned on being the direction in which the door is closed, or whereinthe door comprises a revolving door, the camera device furthercomprising a fourth slide switch configured to be turned on and off by asliding operation, wherein the fourth slide switch is configured toslide in a direction substantially orthogonal to a direction in whichthe door is opened and closed, the direction in which the fourth slideswitch is turned on being the direction oriented toward an opening andclosing end of the door from the center of rotation of the door.
 14. Thecamera device according to claim 10, wherein when the image capturingelement is located at the center of the door, a range of image capturingby the image capturing element includes left and right edges in a farside of the storage unit or the upper and lower edges in the far side ofthe storage unit, or wherein when the image capturing element is locatedat the center of the door, a range of image capturing by the imagecapturing element includes left and right front end portions of a shelfdisposed inside the storage unit, or front end portions of at least twoadjacent shelves among multiple shelves disposed in the up and downdirection inside the storage unit, or front end portions of theuppermost shelf and the lowermost shelf disposed inside the storageunit.
 15. The camera device according to claim 10, wherein the imagecapturing element, the substrate, and the communication element aredisposed in the listed sequence, wherein a battery is disposed below theimage capturing element, the substrate, and the communication element.16. The camera device according to claim 1 being installed in thestorage unit provided with a plate member for placement of a storeditem, wherein the case is placed on the plate member with the firstsurface portion facing the interior of the storage unit.
 17. The cameradevice according to claim 16, wherein the image capturing element isprovided with a lens disposed at the image capture window, the lens notcontacting the plate member.
 18. The camera device according to claim17, wherein the lens comprises a wide-angle lens, and the plate membercomprises plural shelves each being substantially horizontal, andwherein when the first surface portion of the case is disposed facingdownward at the center of an upper surface of the uppermost shelf, arange of image capturing by the image capturing element includes leftand right edges of a bottom surface of the storage unit or front andrear edges of the bottom surface of the storage unit, or wherein thelens comprises a wide-angle lens and the plate member comprises an upperstorage container and a lower storage container, and wherein when thefirst surface portion of the case is disposed facing downward at thecenter of a bottom portion of the upper storage container, a range ofimage capturing by the image capturing element includes left and rightedges of a bottom surface of the lower container or front and rear edgesof the bottom surface of the lower container.
 19. The camera deviceaccording to claim 16, wherein plural image capture lighting elementsconfigured to illuminate the interior of the storage unit are providedon the first surface portion of the case in the periphery of the imagecapture window.
 20. A storage unit comprising the camera deviceaccording to claim 1.